Rafael Nadal may have stepped away from professional tennis, but his competitive spirit has found a new outlet. The 22-time Grand Slam champion recently shared a glimpse of his winter retreat in the Spanish Pyrenees, where he embraced skiing and snow-filled family moments with his wife, Maria Francisca Perelló, and their eldest son.
Swapping clay courts for powdery slopes, Nadal appeared relaxed and fully immersed in fatherhood, guiding his son through the basics of skiing and enjoying quiet time away from the global spotlight.
A Closer Look at Rafael Nadal and Family’s Winter Retreat in the Spanish Pyrenees
Photos from their trip to Baqueira Beret captured a different side of Nadal. The setting, one of Spain’s premier ski destinations, offered wide runs and scenic mountain backdrops, making it an ideal getaway for a family seeking both activity and privacy.
The Spaniard looked at ease navigating the slopes alongside Perelló. In one image, he skied confidently down the mountain, while in another, he bent down attentively to help his eldest son find balance on the snow.
There were also lighter moments, including building a snowman together and posing for bundled-up family portraits against the sweeping white landscape.
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How Has Nadal’s Personal Life Evolved Over the Years?
Nadal and Perelló have been together since 2005. The two were childhood sweethearts in their hometown of Manacor, Mallorca, introduced through Rafael’s sister, Maribel. For more than a decade, they maintained a low-profile relationship while Nadal competed globally.
In 2018, the couple became engaged during a trip to Rome, though they kept the news private for several months. They eventually married on Oct. 19, 2019, at the La Fortaleza estate in Mallorca.
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The couple has two children, both born in Mallorca. Their first son, Rafael Junior, was born on Oct. 8, 2022. On Aug. 7, 2025, they welcomed their second son, Miquel, named in tribute to Mery’s father, Miquel Perelló Mas, who passed away in 2023.
Maria, a business graduate, worked in sports marketing and insurance before taking on a leadership role in the family’s philanthropic efforts. She serves as director general of the Rafa Nadal Foundation, which focuses on social integration and education for children through sport.
Since Nadal’s professional retirement in November 2024, the family has transitioned to a more private life in Mallorca, focusing on their foundation work and raising their two sons.
